Getty Kansas City Chiefs running back Jerick McKinnon.
The Kansas City Chiefs opened the practice window for veteran running back Jerick McKinnon to return from injured reserve (IR) on February 2. But based on head coach Andy Reid’s update on February 6, the 32-year-old back won’t be ready to play in the 2024 Super Bowl.
“Jerick is not practicing. I’d tell you it’s slim for him to be out there (for the Super Bowl),” Reid said during his press conference on February 6.
McKinnon was placed on IR on December 24 with a groin injury. According to Chiefs Digest’s Matt Derrick, McKinnon suffered a core muscle injury as well as a fractured pelvis.
The typical recovery timeline for those injuries put McKinnon’s chances of playing in the Super Bowl at slim to none. Yet hope for a return this season rose when the team opened his practice window on Sunday.
Without McKinnon, the Chiefs’ backfield against the San Francisco 49ers will be Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and La’Mical Perine.
During the 2023 regular season, McKinnon registered 21 rushing attempts for 60 yards and 1 rushing touchdown, and also had 25 receptions for 192 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns in 12 games played, per Pro Football Reference.
Joe Thuney Also a Long Shot to Play in 2024 Super Bowl
Along with McKinnon, Chiefs starting left guard and first team All-Pro Joe Thuney is a “long shot” to play in the Super Bowl, according to Reid.
Thuney also told NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on February 3 that it was “up in the air” whether he would practice in the week leading up to the Super Bowl and he is taking it “day-by-day.”
Thuney suffered a pectoral injury during Kansas City’s win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round. He did not play in the AFC Championship and was considered unlikely to play in the Super Bowl before the AFC Championship took place.
Veteran offensive lineman Nick Allegretti, who replaced Thuney in the starting lineup in the AFC Championship, projects to be Kansas City’s starting left guard in the Super Bowl.
Heavy’s Super Bowl Projections
According to Heavy’s AI-powered projections, the Chiefs have a 36% chance of beating the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
Here are how they see each of Kansas City’s top offensive skill players performing against the 49ers:
QB Patrick Mahomes: 26.5 completions, 272.9 passing yards, 1.6 passing touchdowns
TE Travis Kelce: 5.6 receptions, 63 receiving yards, 0.7 receiving touchdowns
WR Rashee Rice: 6.9 receptions, 86.8 receiving yards, 0.5 receiving touchdowns
RB Isiah Pacheco: 15.2 rushing attempts, 68.8 rushing yards, 1.1 rushing touchdowns, 3 receptions, 11.9 receiving yards
Twitter Chats About Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl Rematch
Users on X, formerly Twitter, chatted about the Chiefs-49ers Super Bowl rematch before the game, which takes place on February 11 in Las Vegas.
“It’s going to come down to how well (49ers QB Brock) Purdy plays imo (in my opinion),” one user wrote. “His play can fluctuate from elite to trash on any given game. Think the defences pretty much cancel each other out. Chiefs have Mahomes but the 49ers have much better weapons on offence. If Purdy plays a good game, they win imo.”
“Can people go back to betting for the Chiefs to lose the Superbowl bc the more people doubt them the higher the chances they actually win,” another user wrote. “So yeah… The 49ers are winning the Superbowl. Mark my words.”